The Legend of Sweeney Todd

From Westminster to the East End docks, everyone in London has heard of the legend
of Sweeney Todd. Have a look at the photos and imagine what kind of story it is. Then,
read the story below and fill in the gaps.

Benjamin Barker ________ (to be) a barber who lived in Fleet Street with his wife and
daughter. One day, an evil judge ________ (to decide) to steal Benjamin Barker's wife.
He ________ (to convict) Benjamin on a false charge and ________ (to send) him
away to Australia for 15 years. When Benjamin Barker ________ (to return) he was a
very different man. He ________ (to change) his name to Sweeney Todd and started
________ (to kill) all of the men who came into his shop for a haircut and shave.

At this time, he _______ (to live) above Mrs Lovett's pie shop. She discovered his
secret and ________ (to help) him to get rid of the dead bodies. She did this by
________ (to cut) up the dead men's bodies and ________ (to put) them into pies!
Later, Mrs Lovett ________ (to discover) that the evil judge ________ (to be) a client
of hers for quite some time. She ________ (to recommend) Sweeney's barber shop to
him. Sweeney ________ (to cut) the judge's throat and he ________ (to become) a
pie.

1) Do you think the story is real or not real? Why?

2) Do you think this story has a hero?
3) Does Japan have any similar stories or legends that were real or not real?